We were the first to report that today was going to be a Pentax day. The camera maker, has just announced a the K-01 (pronounced kay- zero-one), a mirrorless APS-C camera that features a standard Pentax K-mount.

Together with the camera, Pentax has also cheered on the accomplishment of creating the world’s thinnest interchangeable lens, the 9.2mm (0.36 inch) thick DA 40mm f/2.8 XS lens. While we’ve seen a number of small pancakes in the past, particularly for MILC systems with smaller sensors, like Micro Four Thirds, this is truly tiny compared to other APS-C lenses. Pentax is no stranger to thin lenses, as it already has a 15mm thick 40mm f/2.8 Limited pancake lens.continue reading

We already more or less know that the Pentax K-01 mirrorless camera, designed in collaboration with Marc Newson, will be announced tomorrow. We now have the first images of the K-01 camera and the new DA 40mm f/2.8 XS lens.

The camera has the rounded lines that we would expect from a Marc Newson design, and below you can also see the K-01 in all three colors, including a really bright yellow — we know that Pentax has a thing for bright colors if the K-r is any indication.

We can’t say we are too enamored with the design, as we are with the design of the Fujifilm X-Pro1 let’s say, but if this camera is priced competitively, as most Pentax cameras are, it will be great value for money. After all, image quality is expected to be top-notch, as this camera is rumored to have the same 16-megapixel sensor as the excellent Pentax K-5. Another big selling point of this MILC (mirrorless interchangeable lens camera) is that it will be compatible with a huge selection of current Pentax K-mount lenses; that’s a big advantage for anyone already invested in the system, as well as over other mirrorless systems with more limited lens choice.continue reading

We’ll file this into ironic. We were day-dreaming during the weekend over the old Asahi Pentax, and today we received the above invitation for a new product launch event by Pentax in London on February 2nd. The new camera has been designed in collaboration with Sydney-born industrial designer Marc Newson, famous for combining smooth organic lines and bright vivid colors into his products.

The timing matches previous rumors for a new K-mount camera announcement from Pentax, just in time for the CP+ camera show in Yokohama. All rumors point to a new mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) to be named Pentax K-01. Again quoting previous rumors, the K-01 will have the same 16-megapixel sensor as the K-5, it will support K-mount lenses but will come with its own new DA 40mm f2.8 lens that is less than 1cm thick.continue reading